Category Archives: Tampa Bay Rays

The second half is underway and there are a handful of teams looking to get back to the post season, some waiting longer than others.

The National League features a pair of teams who find themselves shockingly in first place. Meanwhile, the American League has an early three-team race for the Wild Card with one newcomer in the second half post season race.

Here are a list of five teams to watch heading into the second half of the season.

Cole Hamels and David Price were dueling in a 1-0 game through seven innings. Hamels pitched seven shutout innings in his start, holding a slight advantage over Price by putting his team in the best position to win.

With both pitchers throwing 223 pitches combined, they gave way to their bullpens after seven. There, the Rays won the important battle in their 3-2 win over the Phils.

A gassed Antonio Bastardo, who threw 29 pitches yesterday, struggled in the 8th inning, costing Hamels a shot at his 11th win of the season. Bastardo walked two hitters before giving up a one-out three-run homer to the left-handed hitting Carlos Pena to give the Rays a 3-1 lead.

OF Rich Thompson hits a single in last year’s International League playoffs. (Photo via Express Times)

The Philadelphia Inquirer was fresh off of running a feature on career minor leaguer Rich Thompson this past weekend.

It looks like someone in the Tampa Bay system has a subscription.

The Phillies traded Thompson to Tampa Bay for outfielder Kyle Hudson. Thompson is currently on his way to join the Rays now, the first time he has been on a big league club since having one Major League at-bat with the Royals in 2004.

In 2008, Pat Burrell led the parade down Broad Street. (John Russo/TTB)

The Phillies will have one more campaign with left fielder Pat Burrell, though it will only last a day.

The 35-year-old slugger, who retired after last season, will sign a one-day contract with the Phillies so that he could retire with the team that drafted him with the first overall pick in the 1998 amateur draft.

Burrell, who is currently a professional scout for the San Francisco Giants, will be honored before the Phillies May 19 game against the Boston Red Sox.

Burrell played 12 seasons in the Major Leagues with Philadelphia, Tampa Bay and San Francisco.

Amidst all the contract talks, Cole Hamels still goes out and makes it look easy.

Hamels looks like he’s in midseason form as he tossed 5.2 innings of one-run ball in the Phillies 2-1 win against the Tampa Bay Rays today. He only gave up three hits and struck out seven. His only blemish was a solo home run to Evan Longoria.

Brian Schneider hit a solo home run and Hector Luna had an RBI single.

The Phillies also announced after the game, that outfielder Juan Pierre has been added to the 40-man roster and made the team.

Pierre went 2-for-2 today to bring his spring average to 313.

They also said that Scott Podsednik could still make the Opening Day roster but that looks less likely with Pierre making it. Lou Montanez was informed that he will begin this season in the minors. Hector Luna also remains in the mix to make the team.

Shane Victorino also had a good day at the plate as he went 2-for-4.

The relievers also were very impressive. Joe Savery tossed two scoreless innings and only gave up one hit in that span.

Expectations: Better than the YankeesKeyAddition: 1B Carlos Pena (signed from Chicago Cubs)KeyLoss: OF/DH Johnny Damon (free agent)ProjectedRecord: 103-59Summary: The odds on favorite to win the division, the Rays have it all: great young hitting, great young pitching, solid veteran presence. With guys like Evan Longoria, BJ Upton, and Desmond Jennings anchoring the offense along with key players like Ben Zobrist and Sean Rodriguez, it will power them to a division crown.

They can also pitch with any team. David Price (my pick for CY Young in 2012) combined with James Shields and youngster Jeremy Hellickson can pitch with the big boys any day of the week. Most exciting prospect to watch is in their rotation too: Matt Moore. The kid has electric stuff.